MS Dhoni Suresh Raina. Image Credits: AFP
Former Indian cricketer and IPL veteran Suresh Raina unveiled the best CSK squad, which, according to him, was the most competitive, dominant and hungry.
Raina, also known as Mr IPL, gave his whole heart and soul to CSK by serving them for 11 seasons until his official retirement in 2021. He was a key part of the franchise’s dominant years, when they won multiple titles.
But there was one season in particular which he felt was extremely special for him as well as the entire squad and CSK fans.
Suresh Raina remembers CSK’s 2018 season
Recently, Suresh Raina spoke exclusively on Aakash Chopra's show Baith and Bol powered by CREX and revealed that the best CSK team, according to him, was the one that played in the 2018 IPL season. He revealed that the franchise had regrouped after getting banned for two years due to fixing allegations.
The entire squad, led by MS Dhoni, turned up with purpose and intense determination for redemption. And that year, CSK dominated the tournament and eventually won the title by beating SRH in the final held in Mumbai.
“I think the 2018 team was the best. The reason is that CSK was banned for two years, and I, Mahi bhai and others went our separate ways. But in 2018, there was again unity of mindset. Bhajju pa, Faf du Plessis joined. Everyone had become a father. There was family, kids,” Suresh Raina told Aakash Chopra on Baith and Bol by CREX.
Watch the video below:
Raina added that the 2018 season was special because he had become a father, the team environment was lively and most importantly, each player was determined to bring the lost glory back to CSK.
“The way I enjoyed that season as a father and husband, we built a synergy so strong that we never lost. Our top five made 400-500 runs, and the team was properly rebuilt. I really enjoyed that season because there was a fearless approach. Everybody knew why we got banned in 2016-17, and hence there was a purpose to prove. It was necessary and a special moment,” he added.
Also Read - Suresh Raina's 87 Off 25: The IPL Knock That Lasted 30 Minutes But Lives On Forever
CSK’s journey in IPL 2018
CSK returned in IPL 2018 after facing a 2-year unprecedented ban. MS Dhoni regained control as captain with key players like Suresh Raina, Shane Watson and Dwayne Bravo returning to the fold.
Chennai dominated the group stages by finishing in second place with 18 points. They beat SRH in Qualifier 1 to storm into the final and beat Hyderabad again in the final to lift the title, thus successfully earning redemption.
Ambati Rayudu (602) and Shane Watson (555) alone contributed over 1000 runs combined. Watson, importantly, hammered a sublime century in the final while chasing 179 runs. MS Dhoni also hit 455 runs, while Suresh Raina ended up with 445 runs in total.
Hence, overall, it was a dominant season, as Suresh Raina explained. The squad was balanced right from the start and performed collectively as a unit to lift the trophy.
Why was CSK banned from the IPL?
CSK received a devastating blow in 2015 when IPL authorities banned the franchise for two years over its connection to the 2013 IPL betting and spot-fixing scandal.
The controversy erupted when Gurunath Meiyappan, CSK's team principal and the son-in-law of then-BCCI president N. Srinivasan, was found betting on IPL games.
Since the franchise’s key official was directly involved in such illegal practices, the Supreme Court-appointed R.M. Lodha Committee issued a ban on CSK as punishment.
While CSK was banned for two years from 2016 to 2017, Gurunath Meiyappan was banned for life from involvement in cricket. Interestingly, MS Dhoni’s name was also dragged into the controversy, but the investigation committee didn’t find any proof against him.
Also Read - Mithali Raj Reacts After Smriti Mandhana Breaks Her World Record for India
